1Samuel, The First Book of The Kings

[He. Shemuel “heard of God”]

Courtesy of Alexander Scourby(Bible Audio)The Book of

Background: 1Samuel picks up from the book of Jg. And show how the continued harassment from neighboring tribes made the people ask for a king. 31chs

HANNAH'S FAITH

Author: Accounts from the prophets Samuel, Nathan, and Gad were probably joined together by an unknown author.

Date: 1,2 Samuel were originally one book, which later divided because it was too long. From Samuel’s birth to the end of David’s reign- tool place 1100-971BC. Since the compiler did his work during the time of “the kings of Judah”(27:6), the books must date from the time of the divided kingdom and were likely completed not long after the death of Solomon.(931BC)

Location: Samuel apparently had a school of prophets at Ramah (19:20) in the central part of Israel. Initial records of Saul and David would have been kept there. Once Jerusalem was established by David as the capital, court records began to be kept there, and probably where the two books were compiled.

Purpose:

^Along with Nu., Dt./, and Jg., the books of Samuel sought to promote the “prophetic viewpoint. Obedience to God brings rewards; disobedience brings punishment.

^1S. shows the danger of making demands on God, specifically Israel’s desire to have a king just as their pagan neighbors had(8:4,20).

^1S records the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy that Israel’s kings would come from the tribe of Judah.(Ge49:8-12)

SAMUEL AND ELI

Unique Features:

*Introduces Samuel as “professional prophet” Samuel was a circuit rider (7:15-17) and founder of school of prophets (10:10; 1K18:13; 2K2:3,5; 6:1,2)

*The highlights/ lowlights:

*Memorable teaching of obedience (15:22) and on outward appearances Vs. true worthy(16:7)

*Scripture’s greatest friendship (18:1)

*History’s tallest man (17:4)

*Desperate king of Israel consulting a witch (28:3-25)

Comparison:

Saul (OT)-Saul(NT)

*Both of the tribe of Benjamin (9:1,2 Php3:5) the first was tall and impressive(9:2), while the second was probably unimpressive(2Co10:10)

*The first began as God’s friend and ended up as God’s enemy (10:6,7; 28:6), the second as God’s enemy( and ended up as God’s friend(Ac9:1; 2Ti4:18)

*The life of the first was characterized by disobedience(13:13;15:22,23), the life of the second was characterized by obedience(Ac26:13-19)

Abbreviations: 1Sam./ Sa./ Sm./ S.

THE WALKTHROUGH

I and II Samuel in 7 Minutes (Part 1)

MV: 1Co4:6

Bib1Yr: Ez12-14The Foolish Prophets